Fence Regulations in Daly City, CA (2026)
7 verified fence regulations for Daly City, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Daly City caps fences at 6 feet on residential parcels and 3 feet in any required front yard or within 35 feet of the street corner on a corner lot. Non-residential and mixed-use parcels may have 8-foot fences, or up to 10 feet with administrative design review.
6 ft residential, 3 ft front yard, 8-10 ft commercial
Some RestrictionsCity of Daly City, Fences and Retaining Walls handout (Economic and Community Development, Oct. 2020), citing DCMC 17.40.020
Fences in all zoning districts shall not exceed six feet (6') in height in side and rear yards and shall not exceed three feet (3') in height in any required front yard or within thirty-five feet (35') of the street corner on any corner lot. The fence height is determined by measuring from the highest ground level adjoining the fence on either side (DCMC 17.40.020). The construction and install...
Permit Requirements
Daly City does not require a building permit to build a fence 6 feet tall or less. Permits come into play only for front-yard approval, encroachment permits in the right-of-way, and retaining walls over 48 inches or supporting a surcharge.
No permit for fences 6 ft or under; exceptions apply
Few RestrictionsCity of Daly City, Fences and Retaining Walls handout (Economic and Community Development, Oct. 2020)
The construction and installation of fences that is six feet (6') high or less does not require a building permit. ... Retaining walls greater than forty-eight inches (48") in height or less than 48 inches in height and supports a surcharge or an excavated uphill slope requires a building permit and must be designed by a licensed professional engineer. Construction documents are required to be ...
Neighbor Fence Rules
Daly City treats boundary fences as a 'good neighbor' matter - the City neither requires fences nor referees disputes. Cost sharing between adjoining owners is governed by California's Good Neighbor Fence Act (Civil Code Section 841), which presumes equal responsibility.
Good neighbor policy; CA Civil Code 841 cost sharing
Few RestrictionsCity of Daly City, Planning Division FAQ - 'Who is responsible for the fence between properties?'
Fences come under a 'good neighbor' policy. The City does not require fences, nor are permits required to build fences as long as they do not exceed the six foot height limit.
Retaining Walls
Retaining walls in Daly City over 48 inches tall - or shorter walls supporting a surcharge or excavated uphill slope - require a building permit and design by a licensed professional engineer. Walls under 48 inches holding only landscaping backfill may be wood.
Permit + engineer for walls over 48 in. or surcharged
Some RestrictionsCity of Daly City, Fences and Retaining Walls handout (Economic and Community Development, Oct. 2020)
The height of a retaining wall is measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall. A retaining wall typically supports a horizontal force of adjoining soil and/or adjoining structures or hillsides and in most cases, retaining walls are structures designed by a licensed professional engineer. Retaining walls less than forty-eight inches (48") in height may be constructed of wood, ...
Pool Barriers
All new and remodeled residential pools and spas in Daly City must comply with the California Swimming Pool Safety Act (Health and Safety Code Section 115922, as amended by SB 442 / SB 552). The owner must install at least two of seven listed drowning-prevention safety features, one of which is an enclosure meeting HSC 115923 standards.
Pool Barrier Requirements (California SB 442)
Heavy RestrictionsMaterial Restrictions
Daly City's fence ordinance imposes no general material prohibitions on residential fences. Material rules apply only in special cases: 10-foot fences on non-residential parcels must use decorative materials, and wood retaining walls under 48 inches must be pressure-treated or decay-resistant lumber.
No general material bans; rules for tall fences, walls
Few RestrictionsCity of Daly City, Fences and Retaining Walls handout (Economic and Community Development, Oct. 2020)
Retaining walls less than forty-eight inches (48") in height may be constructed of wood, provided: 1. They sustain no loads other than backfill soil mainly used for landscaping. 2. They are constructed of pressure treated lumber or species naturally resistant to decay
Approved Materials
Daly City Title 17 zoning generally allows wood, vinyl, masonry, wrought iron, and chain-link fencing in residential zones, while barbed wire, razor wire, and electrified fencing are typically restricted to non-residential uses or prohibited outright in residential neighborhoods. California has no statewide cap on residential fence materials, so the local code controls.
Fence Materials Allowed and Prohibited
Some RestrictionsLooking for San Mateo County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Daly City city rules.
Fence Regulations in San Mateo County →